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Last Times, New Beginnings

These days, I can’t help thinking about the last times. Those moments that, while we are living them, seem like just another ordinary day, but when we look back, we realise how special they actually were. For example, this will be the last time I write on this blog. The truth is, I’m still struggling to realise that this chapter is coming to an end. These eight months have been incredible, full of lessons, unforgettable moments, and people who have left their mark on me in one way or another. When I arrived in Jesi, I could never have imagined how much this place would eventually mean to me. I feel like, from the very beginning, life was on my side. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a project that has allowed me to grow, discover new perspectives, and learn far more than I could have ever imagined. But above all, I’ve been lucky enough to meet wonderful people who have made this experience truly unique. Over time, I’ve realised that sometimes we don’t fully appreciate how lucky we a...
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10 Things You Should Know Before Doing an ESC 🌍

  If you’re thinking about joining the European Solidarity Corps, you’ve probably already imagined the exciting parts: travelling, meeting people from all over Europe, discovering a new culture and having an experience you’ll never forget. (And yes — all of that can happen.) But there are also a few things I wish someone had told me before I started my ESC. 1. It’s not a holiday You will travel, meet new people and have amazing experiences, but you’ll also have responsibilities, schedules, tasks and normal working days. 2. The beginning might feel strange You can be incredibly excited and, at the same time, think: “What am I doing here?” That’s completely normal. Moving to a new country, meeting new people and starting a completely different routine can be overwhelming. Feeling lost at the beginning doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision. 3. You will miss home Even if you’re having the best time of your life, you might still miss your family, your friends, your favourite places o...
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How to Survive the Summer in Jesi !!!!!!

  Heyyyy everyone... I don't know how you're doing, but I can't do this anymore!  I'm honestly going to melt in this heat. Look, I know I'm from Barcelona, but this heat is different... it's so much worse! I seriously feel like I need to put myself inside the fridge.  So, while I'm trying to survive, I thought I'd share some tips for getting through the summer in Jesi. (You'll thank me later! ) 1. Go for a swim Here in Jesi, we have two public swimming pools: Piscina Federico II Piscina Comunale di Jesi The entrance fee is usually between 6€ and 10€, depending on how long you want to stay. Trust me, spending a few hours in the water is worth every euro! 2. Escape to the sea If you're in Jesi, just hop on a train to Falconara Marittima. If the trains are running on time (fingers crossed ), you'll be there in less than 15 minutes. It's the perfect place to spend a relaxing day at the beach, whether you're with friends or e...
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What Is a Day Like as an ESC Volunteer at Caritas Jesi?

Hey! It's been a while...  Today I thought I'd show you what a typical day in my life as an ESC volunteer looks like! The first thing you should know is that no two days are the same. Every day brings something different, so you have to get used to change and learn to embrace flexibility. That's one of the best parts of this experience! Our day usually starts around 7:50 a.m. (I know... it's early! ). But waking up a bit earlier means we can have breakfast peacefully without rushing. Then we walk about 10 minutes to Caritas, which is actually a great way to wake up before starting work. Let's imagine it's Wednesday, one of my busiest days. As soon as we arrive, we head straight to the kitchen, where we work with Roberta, the head chef. She knows absolutely everything and keeps the kitchen running perfectly! On Wednesdays, I also work alongside two amazing Italian volunteers, Adele and Jana. They have so much experience, and I always lear...
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Stepping out from my comfort zone.

Ciao!  გამარჯობა!  It's Ana from Georgia.   I recently arrived in Jesi to take part in 3 month volunteering project through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).  on my way to Jesi Allora, I'm 22. I graduated from the Georgian University of Public Affairs (GIPA) last year with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.  I always wanted to join a volunteering project, but never had enough time. This was the perfect moment to step out from my comfort zone and do more. Everything works out with pure heart and intentions and the most important - faith!  Jesi. It's only been one week since I arrived here, but I already feel welcomed by everyone. I already feel that this is only the very beggining of my story and I will learn, grow and take a lot from this place... That was really really brief introduction about me, that's all for now, but see you in the next post! A presto!  ⭐ Jesi.
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ESC Volunteer vs. Servizio Civile Universale... What's the Difference?

  Heyyyy everyone! "What's the difference between an ESC volunteer and someone doing Servizio Civile Universale?" At first, I also thought they were basically the same thing. We all volunteer, we all help people, and sometimes we even work side by side. But there are actually some differences! 🌍 ESC (European Solidarity Corps) / Corpo Europeo di Solidarietà I'm an  ESC volunteer , which means I came from another European country (in my case, Spain ) to volunteer in Italy . The ESC is a programme funded by the European Union that allows young people to participate in volunteering projects and solidarity actions in different countries. The main goals are to promote social inclusion, cultural exchange, solidarity, and community development. To join an ESC project, you usually need to: Be between 18 and 30 years old (up to 35 years old for humanitarian aid projects) Go to a country different from your country of residence Participate in a project that can...
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Arrivederci!

After 6 months, my ESC project here in Caritas has now come to an end. I am so grateful I came here to Italy, grateful for al the wonderful people I have come across in this project and the things I have learnt. The people I have met have thought me to be truly grateful for al the different things in life and not take anything for granted, as well as seizing each opportunity you get. Not only have I grown as a person, my view of the world has been broaden and I hope I will carry al this with me in the future. I hope the next volunteer will have as wonderful of a time as I have had! Til next time, Karin 🩷
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Cosa è l'OAT?

  ON ARRIVAL TRAINING (OAT) This week I had the opportunity to experience one of the most anticipated trainings for a European Solidarity Corps volunteer: the On Arrival Training in Frascati. The OAT is a week where you take part in team-building activities, cultural exchanges, conflict management workshops, and a visit to Rome. These are five intense days designed to prepare and connect ESC volunteers from all over Italy. It has been a week of meeting many new people, having lots of conversations, and discovering new and very interesting projects, as well as having the opportunity to explore possible new adventures for the future once the volunteering experience comes to an end. I am very happy to have had this opportunity because I have learned a lot.   Friends I met during the OAT — we took this photo on our trip to Rome! With my colleague from Cingoli (VivoloCorto team).
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Spots, coffe and more

Appart from the work we do in Caritas, we like to expolre what Jesi and the surrounding area has to offer. So here we present you a list of some of our favurites things; food coffe and nice places to visit! SPOTS TO SEE: Lake of Cingoli Born from the damming of the Musone River in the 1980s, Lake Cingoli (or Castreccioni) is today the largest artificial basin in the Marche region. It's the perfect place to spend the afternoon with friends, eat lunch and have an aperitivo. Monte San Vicino San Vicino is a mountain of the Umbrian-Marches Apennines located in the province of Macerata, not far from the border with the province of Ancona. A perfect spot to go for a hike and the top of the mountain is the perfect place to have a picnic and enjoy the views. Perugia   A city of art rich in history and monuments, Perugia is a cultural, productive, and managerial hub of the region, and an international tourist destination. The University of Perugia (1308) is one of the oldest in Italy and in...
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CIAO a TUTTI

  Hi! I’m Júlia, I’m 23 years old and I’m from Barcelona! I’m the new volunteer in the European Voluntary Corps (ESC) programme, and I’ll be working for 6 months at Caritas in Jesi, Italy. So… you might be wondering: who is this girl? Let me introduce myself! As I said, I’m 23 (turning 24 in September — I’m a Virgo!). In 2024, I graduated in Social Education from the University of Barcelona. I'm the one on the right!! During my university years, I worked weekends as a waitress in a pizza restaurant, and later I had the chance to work with my brother in a small jewelry shop. These experiences taught me a lot — from responsibility and consistency to managing my time and earning my own money. After finishing my degree, I quickly started working as a social educator. My first experience was in social inclusion housing in Barcelona. Later on, I spent six months working in a women’s shelter and a day centre. After that, I joined Caritas (this time in Barcelona!) in a multi-purpose centre...
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